Adalimumab HUMIRA®

WHAT CHECKS WILL I NEED BEFORE I START IT?

Pre-treatment screening is essential to check your suitability for treatment with Adalimumab. Make sure our IBD team treating you know:

• if you have any history of tuberculosis (TB) or any recent exposure to people with TB. You should not be given adalimumab if you have active TB, and if you have underlying inactive TB, this will need to be treated before starting adalimumab. Most doctors now use a blood test to check for underlying or inactive TB, but you may be given a chest x-ray as well

• if you have or have ever had HIV, hepatitis B or C (a viral liver infection), are a carrier of hepatitis B or C, or have been in close contact with someone who has hepatitis B or C. You will usually have a blood test to check for these diseases before starting adalimumab

• if you have a history of infections, currently have an infection or have symptoms such as feeling feverish or generally unwell. If you do have an infection your adalimumab treatment may need to be postponed

• if you have heart problems, as adalimumab may make your symptoms worse, and your heart will need to be monitored closely before, during, and after treatment

• if you have a history of cancer. Adalimumab affects the way in which your immune system works and you may have an increased risk of developing some types of cancer. However, you may also be at risk even if you do not have a history of cancer

• if you smoke or have COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

• if you have ever had a disease that affects the nervous system, including any symptoms of numbness, tingling or vision problems. Also if you have multiple sclerosis

• if you have had kidney or liver disease

• if you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or are breastfeeding

• about any other medications you are taking and any recent vaccinations

• if you are having any surgery

• if you travel to regions of the world where TB or fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis, coccidioidomycosis or blastomycosis are common

• if you have or have not been exposed to chicken pox in the past. If you have not had chicken pox, you may be able to be vaccinated against it before you start adalimumab

References